🌷 Your Ultimate Garden Calendar!

🍂 First Frost Dates for Elgin, Illinois 60123

The first 36°F frost date is 30% likely to be on Sep 29. (See detailed probabilities below.)

The first 32°F light freeze date is 30% likely to be on Oct 7. (See detailed probabilities below.)

(See also 🌷 Last Spring Frost Dates.)

First frost date probabilities for Elgin, IL are based on historical climate data.

Always check your local forecast for the most up-to-date frost warnings.

Book Recommendations (ads!)

📚 Growing Under Cover: Techniques for a More Productive, Weather-Resistant, Pest-Free Vegetable Garden

📚 Greenhouse Gardening for Beginners: Step By Step Guide To Build A Year-Round Greenhouse And Grow Herbs, Organic Fruits And Vegetables, Plants, Flowers Plans & Ideas for Extending the Growing Season

📚 How to Garden Indoors & Grow Your Own Food Year Round: Ultimate Guide to Vertical, Container, and Hydroponic Gardening (Creative Homeowner) Vegetables, Herbs, DIY Projects, Composting, Lights, & More

📚 The Year-Round Vegetable Gardener: How to Grow Your Own Food 365 Days a Year, No Matter Where You Live

What is a First Frost Date?

The first fall frost signals the end of your local growing season. This date serves as an important deadline for gardeners and farmers. You'll need to complete harvesting before this point. Annuals and other tender plants will die back when frost hits, and perennial plants will enter their dormant phase for winter. Meanwhile, it's time to enjoy a cup of hot cocoa and a cozy sweater—and start planning your spring garden!

How to use the First Frost Date?

Watch your local weather forecasts in early fall to predict the first frost date. Harvest tender crops and protect vulnerable plants before frost arrives. For late-summer plantings, count backward from your area's average first frost date. This ensures your crops have enough time to mature. Keep track of when frost actually occurs in your garden each year. This helps you identify protected spots where the growing season might last longer.

First Frost Date Probabilities

Probability of frost (36°F) on or before...
10% chanceSep 22
20% chanceSep 26
30% chanceSep 29
40% chanceOct 1
50% chanceOct 3
60% chanceOct 5
70% chanceOct 8
80% chanceOct 11
90% chanceOct 16
Probability of light freeze (32°F) on or before...
10% chanceSep 30
20% chanceOct 4
30% chanceOct 7
40% chanceOct 11
50% chanceOct 14
60% chanceOct 16
70% chanceOct 20
80% chanceOct 24
90% chanceOct 28
Probability of moderate freeze (28°F) on or before...
10% chanceOct 10
20% chanceOct 16
30% chanceOct 19
40% chanceOct 22
50% chanceOct 26
60% chanceOct 29
70% chanceNov 1
80% chanceNov 4
90% chanceNov 9
Probability of moderate hard freeze (24°F) on or before...
10% chanceOct 21
20% chanceOct 26
30% chanceOct 31
40% chanceNov 2
50% chanceNov 6
60% chanceNov 9
70% chanceNov 13
80% chanceNov 17
90% chanceNov 22
Probability of hard freeze (20°F) on or before...
10% chanceNov 1
20% chanceNov 6
30% chanceNov 11
40% chanceNov 15
50% chanceNov 18
60% chanceNov 21
70% chanceNov 24
80% chanceNov 28
90% chanceDec 2
Probability of severe hard freeze (16°F) on or before...
10% chanceNov 10
20% chanceNov 17
30% chanceNov 22
40% chanceNov 25
50% chanceNov 28
60% chanceDec 1
70% chanceDec 4
80% chanceDec 8
90% chanceDec 14

Agricultural climatic data from weather station: ELGIN (USC00112736)

Back to Weather Calendar